Hahn: White Sox “Focusing On Longer-Term Benefits”

The White Sox enter the winter with plenty of questions — not just of how to address immediate roster needs, but also of how to approach the offseason strategically. GM Rick Hahn suggested to reporters today that the club intends to oversee some changes in its roster-building mentality this winter, as Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago reports.

With an impressive, controllable, affordable core, but also numerous needs, the White Sox could pursue a variety of avenues. The most drastic would be a full-blown tear-down in which the team’s best player assets — the contracts of stars such as Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, and Adam Eaton — are marketed to the highest bidder.

Hahn certainly didn’t commit to that kind of course. But he did indicate that the broad imperative is now different, which could conceivably lead to rather dramatic change. Hoping to “put ourselves in a position to in on a sustainable basis,” Hahn explained, required the team to “focus[] on longer-term benefits over the offseason.

What does seem clear is that the White Sox will not continue to pursue shorter-term, expensive veterans to build around their core. “We have taken the approach for a number of years that we were focused on a short-term success,” Hahn said, specifying that the team was no longer interested in continuing that course because it “realize[s] a better position for the long-term is a more prudent path.”

Hahn didn’t prime fans for a massive rebuilding effort, though. He suggested that the club still has hopes of winning next year, but that the offseason “targets will have a little bit longer fits in nature.” But there does still appear to be a real possibility of some deals involving the team’s veterans. Hahn explained:

“Should we go to the position of selling off assets, looking toward a more long-term future, the market will dictate how deep of a cut that is. That would also be based on the return for some of our players. The market plays a huge role. … The other part is how your players are valued by the industry. We would not be just trading a younger piece for a younger piece. We would want to diversify the use of players, depending on the depth and strength of the roster. You may look at five or six spots to improve on.”

Clearly, there’s still a lot of uncertainty even with the GM Meetings underway. But it sounds as if the White Sox are open to any number of scenarios involving veterans. In addition to the key players noted above, the organization possesses a wide variety of short-term assets (e.g., Melky Cabrera, Todd Frazier, David Robertson) who’d surely hold appeal to contenders. And if the organization isn’t looking to add those types of players, it’s fair to wonder whether they’ll want to retain them.

I don’t see them contending by 2019 unless they deal at least one of Sale or Quintana.

Abreu and Eaton will get nice packages, and realistically, you might be able to get one or two future contributors with the rest,

So you’d be pretty much building your team around Sale and Quintana with only prospects from those trades because the White Sox really have nothing in the farm system. Rondon could improve, and Anderson should be a solid player going forward, but neither look like they’re going to be All-Stars. Fulmer is looking like a back of the rotation guy, and the jury is still out on Collins (and he’s a few years away anyway). And apart from those guys, there’s not much.

I can see a small possibility, but in reality, Theo Epstein isn’t running the team – prospects have a high rate of failure. You’re not going to turn Andrew Cashner into Anthony Rizzo, Ryan Dempster into Kyle Hendricks, and Scott Feldman into Jake Arrieta. Just trading Eaton, Abreu, Cabrera, Frazier, and Robertson isn’t going to give you a winning team in a few years.

That’s just my opinion. I could be wrong of course. But I don’t see the point in doing a rebuild if you’re going to hold onto two of the top trade chips in all of baseball. If anything, I think they keep Quintana, since he’s controllable for an extra year and won’t get quite the return that Sale would.

Actually, Chris Sale* and Jose Abreu are controllable through 2019, Jose Quintana* through 2020 and Adam Eaton* through 2021, to say nothing of the control on such pre-arbitration eligible core pieces like SP Carlos Rodon, #1 prospect SP/RP Carson Fulmer and SS Tim Anderson.

The White Sox farm system may still be considered somewhat mediocre but it did improve substantially with last year’s draft that emphasized more advanced college players such as #2 prospect C Zack Collins, #4 prospect RP Zack Burdi, #8 prospect SP Alec Hansen, #9 prospect OF Jameson Fisher and #20 prospect OF Alex Call, each of whom could be ready for prime time sooner rather than later. Unlike previous drafts where the White Sox often emphasized athleticism over actual baseball skills, these newer drafted collegiate position players all come with advanced hitting skills which the organization is in dire need of.

Braves could be interested in trading a couple top MLB ready prospects for Quintana, perhaps: Mallex Smith, CF (fastest player in MLB), and Lucas Sims, RHP, first rounder with AA and AAA time. Could substitute Nick Markakis for Smith if desired.

The Sox have been trying to “go for it” for years now. The problem is they won’t spend money on elite free agents, preferring bargain players on club-friendly contracts. They’re finally realizing their approach doesn’t work. They should be developing their farm system like the Cardinals (and now the Cubs) do to maintain sustained success.

If those 6-7 players listed above are traded, Sox can most likely have a top 100 prospect in the system at nearly every position with plenty of arms and much needed depth throughout the roster. Not all will pan out but continue drafting strong and playing in the international market and this could be a very strong TEAM.

Lol. I don’t think you have any idea how valuable Chris Sale and Adam Eaton are right now.

Chris Sale has been one of the best starters in major league baseball since he’s been in the bigs, and he’s on an EXTREMELY team friendly long-term deal.

After last year, you can also very easily argue that Adam Eaton is one of the best all around outfielders in all of baseball right now. He was #11 in WAR for all position players last year and #3 for outfielders (behind only Trout and Mookie). Even if you don’t believe the stats and don’t think he’s THAT good, you’re still trying to buy him when his value is higher than it’s ever been.

You’re most likely not getting either of them without starting a package with Bregman and then adding from there. If you want BOTH of them, the package starts with Correa and then gets even larger from there. Not going to happen, especially in the same deal.

I don’t understand. You want to trade away the core for some “maybes”!? Trade if you have someone in waiting. Frazier? There is no 3b on the horizon. Don’t tell me Davidson-he hasn’t proven anything. Robertson? Ok, we got Jones waiting. Eaton? Who goes to the OF? Sands, Hawkins? Gimme a break. Trade Robertson for D. Span. There’s your CF. Sign Wieters or Ramos. There’s your C. Still need a lefty reliever. But you’ve made positive moves. A complete tear down can’t be accomplished by Hahn and Williams

Yes, trade away a “core” they can’t seem to successfully complement for upper level prospects another team developed that could produce a more complete roster with fewer glaring holes and system depth. Make Sox great again LOL!!!!

I’m fully open to the white sox rebuilding with a complete tear down. I honestly think eaton would be able to fetch a good return for a team needing a leadoff hitter. Sale and Quintana should fetch several top prospects from which ever organization they r dealt to. Frazier is worth moving for 2 take a chance prospects if you can even fetch that for him. Abreu could be valuable to teams needing a first baseman/DH. Robertson likely dealt once Jansen and chapman are off the board and teams miss out on them. Hopefully melky Cabrera is dealt with this group also. That’s a healthy start to a rebuild. No guarantee on prospects panning out especially with the sox lack of organizational development team. The white sox have some serious issues in Kenny Williams and loyal owner JR. White sox need a lot, so I don’t care if Frazier is dealt and matt Davison starts. Play avi Garcia for all I care, WE ARE NOT GOING FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP any time soon. Play yourself to a higher draft slot aka tank. Would love to see a rebuild and watch a team build from the ground up.

It’s sounding more and more like the White Sox will go back to their philosophy in 2013, to add young and controllable MLB ready talent. With few of those type players available in free agency it indicates that trades will be the primary avenue of roster change…more trades like the one made for Adam Eaton. This could bode well for a potential deal involving the Cubs by offering Chris Sale or Jose Quintana for multiple players who are still pre-arbitration eligible, ones who can not only help in 2017 but for 5-7 years beyond the upcoming season. It might also mean the club will be pro-active in dealing their many shorter term veteran assets like Melky Cabrera, Todd Frazier and David Robertson this offseason.

Catcher Willson Contreras is going nowhere in a trade to any team, just like 1B Anthony Rizzo, SS Addison Russell and 3B Kris Bryant. 2B/SS/3B Javier Baez and LF/DH/C Kyle Schwarber are now closer to becoming similarly untouchable foundation pieces but may be moved for an impacting pitcher such as Chris Sale.

The Cubs also have some other MLB ready players who more likely could be had in trades involving Sale or Quintana like OF Jorge Soler and CF Albert Almora, to say nothing of the North Sides current top rated prospect in 2B/OF Ian Happ who was their latest advanced college hitting #1 draft selection who might be ready for prime time in 2018. Switch-hitting 3B Jeimer Candelario, the Cubs #4 rated prospect who made his brief MLB debut this past season has no position to play with Bryant entrenched at the hot corner, is another player that may interest the White Sox with Todd Frazier an impending free agent following the upcoming season. Reliever Carl Edwards Jr. is yet another MLB ready player that might be had in a trade package involving Sale or Quintana.

That’s hilarious. You want a top 5 pitcher with arguably the best contract in all of baseball and think you’d get him without giving up Baez or Schwarber. That’s priceless bro. Who’s lining up for Soler at this point. That’s the Cubs deal now is that Soler, Candelario, Almora are not as highly thought of and they need pitching. They would definitely have takers but nowhere near for Sale or Quintana.

Nobody you listed outside of the “untouchables” has anywhere near enough value to land a top end starter on an excellent contract. The only way the Cubs can come even close is if they give up players on the big league roster in addition to those guys you listed. Even then, you could easily argue that a package from Boston or Houston would be more appealing IMO.

1-I’m a 61-year old die rare die-hard fan of both Chicago baseball teams so any trade proposals I suggest are totally unbiased. I am looking to for ways to improve both clubs that also make sense.

2-The White Sox will certainly listen to all offers concerning any of their premium controllable players on team friendly deals but they do not have to trade Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Jose Abreu or Adam Eaton this offseason. It’s also my opinion that their preference would be to deal these players out of the A.L., especially Sale. If Boston, Texas, Houston or any other A.L. team blows them away with an offer then they would be foolhardy not to pull the trigger. However, all things being equal their preference would be to make a deal with an N.L. club like the Cubs, Dodgers or Nationals who are also contenders that have an abundance of MLB ready talent that they may be willing to deal for an ace pitcher.

Some fans in Chicago may believe that the White Sox might be reluctant to deal with the Cubs but I don’t believe that for a second. I believe that Jerry Reinsdorf and Rick Hahn would be more than willing to exchange Hanukkah gifts with Theo Epstein this offseason if it provided them with their best return in talent. In addition, most Chicago fans are exceedingly familiar with the talent on both sides of town regardless of which club they support. Most White Sox fans know the value of a Kyle Schwarber and Javier Baez. Why would they have any apprehension about their beloved team acquiring that caliber of talent even for a favorite like Sale if a deal could improve their club at multiple positions for a number of years?

A large scale sell by the White Sox will never bear the fruit of the northside’s success. I fear the White Sox will be a sub .500 team for next 15 years. They don’t draw well. They now have a field and a sponsorship that will negative affect the little draw they currently have. A huge sell off will further negatively affect the draw. The next 3 years could see the smallest attendance seen by White Sox in 50 years. My dad continuously talks about how the six year after year traded away great talent for nothing throughout the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s only to see those players go on to greatness. I understand scouting is the best it’s ever been, but you will never get fair value for Sale and I question for Q.

The sox haven’t been anything remotely watchable after May the last several seasons, so maybe they don’t have a choice. I’ll still go to my 5-10 games per season, so is loyal fans won’t be deterred. There just aren’t a ton of us.

It would be hard to imagine the Sox having the same luck as the Cubs did on Rizzo, Henricks, etc but this path has yet to bear any success. Something has to change! I feel pitching can be identified, drafted, and developed within the organization. True top level position player talent has been complete swing and misses more than not. A few that come to mind Beckham, Hawkins, Barnum, Walker, Mitchell……all “1st round talent”

You’re wrong. The Sox lack talent at key positions, and they won’t spend the money required to fill those holes adequately. The only alternative is restocking the farm system and developing talent from within.

Agreed. They have to replenish the farm in order to have any sustainable success. With the pieces you can move (Sale, Q, Frazier, Robertson, N Jones) I don’t think the rebuild will be as long as one might think.. The haul those guys would bring can make them competitive by 2019. I’ll eat 2 years of crap ( also netting high draft picks , including #12 this year) for a rebuild. Heck we’ve been eating 5 years of crap already what’s an extra 2 years

I’d be willing to move Eaton and Abreu as well. May not be popular with fans, but it speeds up the process of acquiring talent for the future. The Sox would have the best farm system in the A.L. at least. Three or four years of player development and they would be set up to contend for long time (like the Cubs).

Hitting on “4 of 5” 1st round picks is not luck. That’s a credit to diligent scouting, sound organizational strategic and patient player development.

If the White Sox commit to an extensive rebuild process which involves moving all of their veteran assets (Sale, Q, Frazier, Robertson, Eaton, Abreu and Jones), they could potentially acquire over a dozen high value prospects to develop. That coupled with ensuing high 1st round picks over 3 or 4 years would rejuvenate this franchise for a fraction of the cost of the current roster. If the roll up their sleeves and commit, this will work. The Cardinals, Red Sox, and Cubs have done this with great results.

I wouldn’t really call it THAT lucky. Obviously there’s luck involved, but the majority of guys contributing were top 5 picks. Those are guys you should be hitting on, especially if they’re college bats. It’s not like they’re doing this with a bunch of players from the late first round and beyond. These are almost all VERY high first round talents, which makes a huge difference in “player development.”

As I diehard white sox fan, it is extremely frustrating to see the sox have a fire sale with core that is this good. Any competent owner, that was actually interested in winning, would spend the money in areas for this team to compete. Jerry is the BIGGEST thing holding this team back. They will not be successful until the team is under new ownership.

People are saying that the Sox could compete in only a few seasons because of the prospects they could get. Usually teams tank for five plus season, before you see any growth. The reason the Sox could turn it around that quickly is because NO TEAMS TANK WITH THIS MUCH TALENT ON THEIR TEAM. No team in the history of baseball has tanked with this much talent.

So say the team trades Sale, Quintana, Eaton, Jones, Abreu, Frazier, and Melky, and they get 10-15 well regarded prospects, maybe 5-8 of those players stick and produce. Where does that leave you? Right back where you started. And it is basically guaranteed you will not have a player in that group with the talent Sale has.

For the Cubs to win the World Series they needed a payroll of $170 million. The White Sox are one of the few teams to still not have given out a $100 million contract. Think the Cubs win the World Series without Jon Lester.

I would love to see what the $170 million version of the White Sox looks like.

Hahn says he wants sustained success. What team has sustained success with $100-$115 million payroll. You need to spend money

The White Sox are horrible at evaluating young talent. Since 2000, the White Sox have drafted 10 position players. in the first round of the MLB June draft. Only the below average Gordon Beckham has had more than 1,000 plate appearances at the major league level. Tim Anderson may develop into a good player. They’ve also drafted a total of 11 pitchers. So far, only Chris Sale and Gio Gonzalez have had any success. In other words, unless they replace the front office, it won’t matter which direction they decide to go.

You are correct about position players but it’s too early discount their last two collegiate pitchers who were drafted #1, Carlos Rodon and Carson Fulmer. In addition, the White Sox two first round picks from last June’s draft look promising, Zack Collins who is ranked MLB’s #2 best catching prospect along with hard throwing relief pitcher Zack Burdi who finished 2016 at AAA Charlotte and probably would have made the parent club in September if the White Sox were contenders. In fact, their 2016 draft class looks very good with excellent pro debuts from other college players like SP Alec Hansen and OF’s Jameson Fisher and Alex Call who are each now ranked among the organizations top prospects in addition to Collins and Burdi.